CAROLINE FUSS — Soul Safari

"People have always aspired to improve the world and found philanthropic pathways to build businesses. What's exciting right now is that I feel this movement fast becoming the cornerstone for new businesses across a huge array of industries."

Caroline Fuss is the founder of Harare, a New York-based designer womenswear label. An Australian native, she named her label after the birthplace of both her mother and grandmother. Harare is devoted to unearthing rich artisan culture from around the globe and celebrating it through high-end women's fashion. They establish and nurture relationships with master craftsmen and women across the far reaches of the world, providing them with the tools and finance to allow them to preserve their otherwise dying art forms.

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What was your pivot point?

I was between jobs in New York, and I went to Guatemala to learn Spanish and take a little break. I ended up staying for three months, instead learning to weave. I wanted to understand the nature of this traditional art form and exactly why it's so integral in this magical country. I became kind of obsessed with the textiles I was finding and the people who made them. I declined the new job and instead I made a promise to myself I would find a way to incorporate this newfound inspiration and social mission into a business. That's how Harare was born!

Are you following the path of a mentor or trailblazer?

I'm sure I'm following the path of many people, not only now but also long before me. People have always aspired to improve the world and found philanthropic pathways to build businesses. What's exciting right now is that I feel this movement fast becoming the cornerstone for new businesses across a huge array of industries. It's always inspiring to hear very successful and influential people speak, such as Blake Mycoskie or Julie Gilhart; but also it's important to have friends in this space who are simply working to improve the current state of the industry. It's refreshing to not feel isolated and alone, but rather part of an incredibly powerful shift toward what we all understand to be the future of this world.

What advice would you give someone going through their own transformation?

Listen to your gut. Your innermost feelings are embedded in your being, almost like bones. I believe this is your true spirit, the soul taking to you. Be still and listen to your inner guidance system. Meditate. Breathe.

Where is your soul place?

Oh goodness, I have a few of these, and all for different reasons! I'm a big believer in reincarnation, so it doesn't necessarily scare or surprise me when I visit somewhere I've never been yet feel familiar with the landscape and culture. Most likely I've been there before. I definitely felt this way when I first walked the streets of Manhattan! Guatemala is also a very special place for me. The volcanoes have incredible energy, and I feel they're extremely healing and powerful. I dream a lot of Mongolia, in very vivid detail and would love to visit soon. I always always feel at home by the ocean. I think the ocean is most definitely my most sacred place on this earth; floating belly up in the sea has this magical way of making you feel like nothing and everything in this universe at the same time.

What do you want to do next?

I'd like to master the art of teleportation!

All images used with permission of Caroline Fuss.